Pea Panzanella

Serves: 4

Presley Zulauf

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

48

Spice

60

Sweetness

45

Sourness

44

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1.5 cups

Pea (cooked)

1 cup

Heavy Cream

3 tbsps

Lemon Juice

1 tbsp

Lemon Zest

Directions:

1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and place a baking sheet in the oven

2

Make the Panzanella Cubes: Heat the butter in a skillet over moderate heat until it begins to brown

3

Add the chopped garlic and stir briefly to release its fragrance

4

Add the chopped thyme

5

Stir to combine

6

Pour the butter mixture over the bread cubes in a bowl and toss briskly so butter coats cubes evenly

7

Season with salt and pepper

8

Stir in the 2 cheeses and chopped basil

9

Place the bread cubes in a single layer on the preheated baking sheet, scraping all the seasonings over them

10

Bake until lightly brown and crunchy on the outside, but still soft on the inside, about 7 to 8 minutes

11

Transfer to a bowl to cool

12

Make the dressing: If using fresh peas, blanch them for 30 seconds in boiling water, then shock in ice water

13

Drain

14

In a stainless steel saucepan, simmer blanched peas or frozen peas and a pinch of salt in cream, until peas are tender, about 4 to 5 minutes

15

Transfer peas and cream to blender or food processor, add pinch of Vitamin C powder to retain bright green color, if desired

16

While blender or food processor is running, add chicken stock and olive oil and puree until smooth

17

Season with salt and pepper

18

Cool the puree in a bowl over an ice bath

19

Combine: In a large bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes and the pea puree

20

Stir to coat the bread

21

Add the cooked peas, scallions, and pecorino Toscano

22

Put the ring from a 10-inch spring form pan upside down on a large plate

23

Fill with the bread mixture, pressing it into place

24

Let stand, or refrigerate, for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then remove the ring

25

In a bowl, dress the spring greens with lemon juice, lemon zest and olive oil, to taste

26

Mound the greens lightly on top of the panzanella

27

Grate pecorino on top, to garnish